Dr. Serenus T. Churn, Sr., received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Drew University, Madison, N.J. in 1979, his Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Care from the Foundation for Religion and Mental Health, Grasslands Hospital, Westchester County, N.Y., in 1970, his Master of Divinity Degree from Howard University, School of Religion in 1965 and his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Morgan State College, Baltimore, Maryland in 1962.  He was elected to membership in the Phi Sigma Tau National Honor Society in Philosophy.  He was most recently honored by Black Business Ink with the Power 100 Award.
 He was born in Camden, N.J. to the late Dr. Charles H. Churn, Sr., and Violet M. Churn and was licensed to preach at the age of 15. He is married to the former Shirley Brown of Washington, D.C., and has two sons, Rev. Serenus T. Churn, Jr. and Rev. Starling T. Churn.  Dr. Churn is currently the Senior Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C.  He is the Adjunct Instructor for Drew University Theology School. He has preached across the United States in Great Britain, India, Guyana, Kenya, Jamaica and South Africa.
Dr. Churn is also the author of “ And I’ll See You In The Morning,”; an anthology of funeral messages, helps for sermon  development, family visits, funeral and grave side services, also published by Brentwood Christian Press. He is also the author of “Baptist Born, Baptist Bred” a study for church members and the author of “Thorns and Grace”- A Book of God’s Promises of Hope, and Healing for Our Hurts. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Dr. Churn authored his most recent publication, COVID-19 and A Preacher’s Love Letters.
He is the Founder and Chairman of the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fund that has awarded over $120, 000 (dollars) to students for college.  He is also the Founder and Chairman of the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Breakfast and Rally March.  He was the presenter of the Mount Zion Television Worship Experience which could be viewed on Time Warner Cable Channel 1083 on Demand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But now the Mount Zion Worship Services can be streamed live beginning at 11:00 am on Sunday Mornings.  He is the Founder of the File-Goodwin Center and had total restoration done in the Sanctuary and revitalized the Child Day Care Center and instituted the Senior Life Center of Mount Zion Baptist Church. In November 2021 the Sanctuary of Mount Zion Baptist Church was named the Reverend Dr. Serenus T. Churn, Sr. Sanctuary in his honor.

Click to learn about 1st Lady Shirley B. Churn